Meet Lara Schmoisman | CEO & Founder of The Darl

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lara Schmoisman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lara, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Taking risks is inevitable and a big part of being an entrepreneur. Sometimes you have most of the facts on hand and can make calculated decisions, sometimes you just have to dive into the pool and hope for the best. Ultimately, in both cases, there’s a little bit of “faking it ‘till you make it”. I know it’s a cliché we’ve heard a thousand times, but hear me out. On numerous occasions, you are going to apply for a job or pitch a client and find yourself in a situation where you might not be exactly sure of how to proceed. That doesn’t mean you have to pass the opportunity, it just means that you have to work harder and learn a few new tricks in order to get the job done.

However, if you are going to fake it till you make it, you better be able to hold your ground and be ready to know how to acquire the tools and skills to make it. Sometimes, it’s okay to admit that you need help or simply are not up to the challenge, but only you know your strengths and weaknesses. For example, don’t say you don’t speak a language fluently. If you don’t, there is no way you’ll be able to fake it.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I believe that there’s no elevator to success, there is a long messy road to cover between starting out and achieving your goals. At least that’s my experience. The road to get to where I am today definitely wasn’t easy. Although I came to the US a long time ago, I still have an accent, and for the longest time I thought that the way I sounded would prevent me from getting clients or would automatically close doors for me. When in reality, it is what sets me apart. I come from a multicultural background, which gives me an edge; not only can I relate on different levels with others, but I can also adapt easily to my surroundings.
The Darl was created as a full-service agency with a twist, allowing us to have clients all around the world. We believe every person and every brand is unique in their own way. Which is why we partner with our clients to create a better product. The Darl´s success comes from some core values which are teamwork and strategy. But overall, they trust that the synergy of their beliefs and knowledge will create successful content.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Besides the traditional Santa Monica, Venice, Hollywood, Sunset, Griffith Observatory, Pasadena, Universal… I believe that someone only understands a city and its culture when it is explored as a local and when you understand what a culture laughs about, so I would take them to Magic Castle (if I can get an invitation) and maybe a concert, a midnight cult movie show. I would also take her to Costco (which is an attraction itself) and farmer markets.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents and my kids. My parents gave me the opportunity to see the world, and my kids the opportunity to revisit it through their eyes. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for them. My parents were the ones who supported my decision to move to the United States and my kids are my everyday motivation and my anchor to earth. I strive to be and do my best by being a good example for them. As a leader I’ve learned to think about my kids and treat everyone in my team like I would like them to be treated.

Website: https://laraschmoisman.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laraschmoisman/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laraschmoisman/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/laraschmoisman

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaraSchmoisman

Other: Email: hello@thedarl.com

Image Credits
The Darl